It's a shame they don't have enough money to cut the grass at Merion

[mike_malone]

 I just drove by and unfortunately the grass around  the bunkers is very high.  I don't know  what the problem is .

[Ed Brzezowski]

Well Mayday they sure as hell had the greens cut last week. A smooth 14 on the meter. Fairways and surrounds were very tight. Three day member guest and they were rolling very fast. Five the opening day was an adventure. I think a bathtub would have been slower.

We rated a course today that has the exact same look on the bunkers as Merion. Most high areas were allowed to grow and get very " native " looking. I am not really sure what native is but it was nasty looking. It really seems to be a growing trend in our area. I am seeing it on more courses when we rate them.

ed

[mike_malone]

Thanks, Ed. I was getting concerned that budget cuts hit Merion. 

[Ed Brzezowski]

Mayday I offered to join if it would help their current situation. I expect my membership application in the mail any day now.

Seriously I have never witnessed a greens staff that large. Cut through the yard on the way to the range and they must have 30 pieces of cutting equipment, not including the Gators and other people moving stuff. It's like a greenskeepers Fantasy Island.

[Ronald Montesano]

They also have that school for future supers on the grounds. That building complex is pretty cool.

[Mike_Trenham]

I just drove by and unfortunately the grass around  the bunkers is very high.  I don't know  what the problem is .

Mayday I heard PVGC's rake vendor cut off their credit too.

[D_Malley]

I just drove by there yesterday and i do not understand the bunker presentation at all.
The top side of many bunkers is cloaked in rough that is about one foot deep and is not just the top edge.
The deep rough extends about 3-5 yards over each bunker, it would be very easy to lose a ball.

Our superintendent instructs his staff to let the grass grow high on the green sides of the bunkers to get the "hairy eybrow" look. The big difference is that this only extends for a couple of inches on the top side only. It would be very rare for a ball to get stuck in there and the look is really good.

will try to post a picture, or maybe i can send one to someone else.

[Tim_Weiman]

I actually spent about ten minutes today at Merion after visiting a customer in nearby Radnor.


While my brief look was by no means comprehensive, honestly, things didn't look too bad, either aesthetically or in terms of the potential for lost balls on the high side of bunkers.


Again, I only saw a few holes, but didn't come away feeling that if I had time to take a detailed review my conclusion would necessarily be negative.


Merion is so cool even if you only have ten minutes. It has an intimacy few courses can match. Wish More courses could be built with that quality.